The Lessons of Grief: What We Learn About Love, Life, and Forgiveness

image of shattered glass heart shining as light hits it

Grief is something we will all experience. The ideas surrounding grief are usually negative and it is difficult to experience, but grief is also a great teacher. Grief teaches us about the value of mindful living, about how we love and care for others, and about acceptance and forgiveness.  Join Octavia, a young adult well acquainted with loss in exploring grief; a journey of mixed emotions, rediscovering love and rediscovering what life can be.

Service Coordinator: Steve Lennon

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Order of Service

Centering Thought

Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.

~ Emily Dickenson

Centering Music

Sounds of the River, composed and performed by Octavia MacIsaac

Welcome

Steve Lennon

Gathering Hymn

#360 Here We Have Gathered, accompanied by Daniel Clark

Chalice Lighting

words by Octavia MacIsaac

Opening Words

words by Octavia MacIsaac

Affirmation

Love Is The Spirit, music by P.J. Buchan, accompanied by Daniel Clark

Story Wisdom

When Our Time Together Ends, Story and illustrations by Octavia MacIsaac

Sermon Part I: Grief

Octavia MacIsaac

Hymn

#1008 In My Quiet Sorrow

Sharing and Caring

Cheryl Simmonds

Unison Words

We pause to reflect on our past week, and on the summer weeks ahead, to think of changes and challenges that lay before us. And, as we share what is in our hearts and support each other along the way, we are all strengthened.

Sermon Part II: Acceptance and Forgiveness

Octavia MacIsaac

Hymn

#1037We Begin Again in Love, accompanied by Daniel Clark

Offering

Our Share the Plate partner for June is Rossbrook House. Thank you for supporting the church with your funds, time, talent and energy. Direct deposit or post-dated cheques simplify giving. You may use a donation envelope, which is located at the back of the grey hymnal, to receive a tax receipt for accumulated cash gifts over $10. Please ask an usher for details if you do not find an envelope.

  • Donate via e-transfer/Interac. In the note, you MUST include your name and whether your donation is for the Sunday offering or your pledge.
  • Send a cheque by mail to the church at First UU Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3M 0A7
  • To see these options later, visit our Give page.

Offertory

Infinite Love, composed and performed by Octavia MacIsaac

Reading Audio/Visual

This Woman’s Work by Gwyneth Paltrow

Meditation

words written by Francis Weller, read by Steve Lennon

The sound of the bell and two minutes of silence will follow the spoken meditation.

Sermon Part III: Growth of Love

Octavia MacIsaac

Closing Hymn

#1014 Answering the Call of Love, accompanied by Daniel Clark
Note: Some of the words of this hymn have been changed to be more inclusive.

Announcements

Steve Lennon

Closing Words

words by Octavia MacIsaac

Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the Flame, accompanied by Daniel Clark

Gratitude

Gratitude for our staff and our lay leaders who made this service happen:

  • Leader: Octavia MacIsaac
  • Coordinator: Steve Lennon
  • Accompanist: Daniel Clark
  • Religious Exploration: Carol Lindsay, CLFD
  • Sharing and Caring Host: Cheryl Simmonds
  • Tech Team: Arthur Burstow, Ashlyn Noble, Christina Swindells-Nader
  • Ushers: Krishna Nimmagadda, Norm Cobb, and others
  • Greeter: Paula Keirstead
  • Set Up and Maintenance: Michael Thiessen
  • Hospitality: Shar Lynn, John Burstow and others
  • Music for Affirmation: written by P.J. Buchan
  • Chalice Sculptor: Jo’Anne Kelly
  • First UU Church of Winnipeg chalice logo: Nancy Gilbert
  • Webmaster: Karin Carlson
  • Communicator Editor: Marjorie Doyle
  • All-Church Email Bulletin: Lorie Battershill

To contact the Sunday Services Team please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca

Want to help out on Sunday mornings? Please contact Norm Cobb or Jim Gardiner.